Deep in the residents’ slumber, 200 goons and personnel of land grabber Caroline Piñeda stormed Dalat/Purok 47, San Roque, Bangkal, Davao City on January 29, at 2 a.m. to carry out the demolition. They demolished and destroyed 20 houses in said community. The incident is part of a series of demolitions since December 2024.

The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Davao condemned Piñeda and her henchmen for attacking the community. “The incident demonstrates the brutality of Piñeda’s camp…it will do everything to terrorize the people and deprive them of their right to residence,” according to the group.

Residents said Piñeda’s men seized their personal belongings including cell phones, laptops, appliances and others. Police reportedly arrived at the place at 3 a.m. where they “apprehended” 74 of Piñeda’s henchmen.

According to Kadamay-Davao, the brutal crime gravely traumatized the residents, especially women and children. It can be recalled that 100 thugs also attacked the community on December 21, 2024 to carry out the demolition. This was followed by a series of demolitions on January 8 and January 11.

“This incident is not a matter of who owns the land but a matter of violating human rights and the poor’s right to residence,” Kadamay secretary general and Makabayan senatorial candidate Mimi Doringo said. She added “in all these events, where is the Davao City Mayor?”

Sebastian Duterte is the mayor of the city. Doringo said that the Dutertes seem paralyzed in such incidents and cannot even defend their constituents. Kadamay-Davao is pushing the local government to investigate the attack and land grabbing.